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23  WEST  MAIN  STREET 

WEBSTER,  N.Y.  14580 

(716)  872-4503 


^1? 


CIHM/ICMH 

Microfiche 

Series. 


CIHM/ICMH 
Collection  de 
microfiches. 


Canadian  Institute  for  Historical  Microreproductions  /  Institut  canadien  de  microreproductions  historiques 


Technical  and  Bibliographic  Notes/Notes  techniques  et  bibliographiques 


The  Institute  has  attempted  to  obtain  the  best 
original  copy  available  for  filming.  Features  of  this 
copy  which  may  be  bibliographically  unique, 
which  may  alter  any  of  the  images  in  the 
reproduction,  or  which  may  significantly  change 
the  usual  method  of  filming,  are  checked  below. 


d 


Coloured  covers/ 
Couverture  de  couleur 


ril    Covers  damaged/ 

|v  I    Couverture  endommagde 

□    Covers  restored  and/or  laminated/ 
Couverture  restaurde  et/ou  pellicul6e 

□    Cover  title  missing/ 
Le  titre  de  couverture  manque 

□    Coloured  maps/ 
Cartes  gdographiques  en  couleur 

□    Coloured  ink  (i.e.  other  than  blue  or  black)/ 
Encre  de  couleur  (i.e.  autre  que  bleue  ou  noire; 

□    Coloured  plates  and/or  illustrations/ 
Planches  et/ou  illustrations  en  couleur 


D 
D 


V 


D 


Bound  with  other  material/ 
Reiid  avec  d'autres  documents 

Tight  binding  may  cause  shadows  or  distortion 
along  interior  margin/ 

La  reliure  serr6e  peut  causer  de  I'ombre  ou  de  la 
distortion  le  long  de  la  marge  intdrieure 

Blank  leaves  added  during  restoration  may 
appear  within  the  text.  Whenever  possible,  these 
have  been  omitted  from  filming/ 
II  se  peut  que  certaines  pages  blanches  ajoutdes 
lors  d'une  restauration  apparaissent  dans  le  texte, 
mais,  lorsque  cela  dtait  possible,  ces  pages  n'ont 
pas  6t6  filmdes. 

Additional  comments:/ 
Commentaires  suppl^mentaires; 


L'Institut  a  microfilm^  le  meilleur  exemplaire 
qu'il  iui  a  6t6  possible  de  se  procurer.  Les  details 
de  cet  exemplaire  qui  sont  peut-dtre  uniques  du 
point  de  vue  bibliographique,  qui  peuvent  modifier 
une  image  reproduite,  ou  qui  peuvent  exiger  une 
modification  dans  la  mdthode  normale  de  tilmage 
sont  indiquds  ci-dessous. 


I      I    Coloured  pages/ 


Pages  de  couleur 

Pages  damaged/ 
Pages  endommag6es 

Pages  restored  and/oi 

Pages  restaur^es  et/ou  pellicul^es 

Pages  discoloured,  stained  or  foxe( 
Pages  d6color6es,  tachetdes  ou  piqu^es 


I      I   Pages  damaged/ 

I      I    Pages  restored  and/or  laminated/ 

I      I    Pages  discoloured,  stained  or  foxed/ 


□    Pages  detached/ 
Pages  d^tach^es 

r~T  Showthrough/ 
I    A    Transparence 

□    Quality  of  print  varies/ 
Qualit^  in^gale  de  I'impression 

□    Includes  supplementary  material/ 
Comprend  du  materiel  supplementaire 

I      I    Only  edition  available/ 


□ 


Seule  Edition  disponible 

Pages  wholly  or  partially  obscured  by  errata 
slips,  tissues,  etc.,  have  been  refilmed  to 
ensure  the  best  possible  image/ 
Les  pages  totalement  ou  partieilement 
obscurcies  par  un  feuillet  d'errata,  une  pelure, 
etc.,  ont  6td  film^es  d  nouveau  de  fa^on  h 
obtenir  la  meilleure  image  possible. 


This  item  is  filmed  at  the  reduction  ratio  checked  below/ 

Ce  document  est  filmd  au  taux  de  reduction  indiqu6  ci-dessous. 


10X 

14X 

18X 

22X 

26X 

SOX 

y 

12X 


16X 


20X 


24X 


28X 


32X 


The  copy  filmed  here  has  been  reproduced  thanks 
to  the  generosity  of: 

Library  of  the  Public 
Archives  of  Canada 


L'exemplaire  fllmi  fut  reprodult  grdce  d  la 
g6n6ro8lt6  de: 

La  bibiiothdque  des  Archives 
publiques  du  Canada 


The  images  appearing  here  are  the  best  quality 
possible  considering  the  condition  and  legibility 
of  the  original  copy  and  in  keeping  with  the 
filming  contract  specifications. 


Les  images  suivantes  ont  6t6  reproduites  avec  le 
plus  grand  soin,  compte  tenu  de  la  condition  et 
de  la  nettetd  de  l'exemplaire  film6,  et  en 
conformity  avec  les  conditions  du  contrat  de 
filmape. 


Original  copies  in  printed  paper  covers  are  filmed 
beginning  with  the  front  cover  and  ending  on 
the  last  page  with  a  printed  or  illustrated  impres- 
sion, or  the  back  cover  when  appropriate.  All 
other  original  copies  are  filmed  beginning  on  the 
first  page  with  a  printed  or  illustrated  impres- 
sion, and  ending  on  the  last  pag'*  with  a  printed 
or  illustrated  impression. 


Les  exemplaires  originaux  dont  la  couverture  en 
papier  est  imprim6e  sont  film6s  en  commenpant 
par  le  premier  plat  et  en  terminant  soit  par  la 
dernidre  page  qui  comporte  une  empreinte 
d'impression  ou  d'illustration,  soit  par  le  second 
plat,  selon  le  cas.  Tous  les  autres  exemplaires 
originaux  sont  filmds  en  commenpant  par  la 
premidre  page  qui  comporte  une  empreinte 
d'impression  ou  d'illustration  et  en  terminant  par 
la  dernidre  page  qui  comporte  une  telle 
empreinte. 


The  last  recorded  frame  on  each  microfiche 
shall  contain  the  symbol  -^  (meaning  "CON- 
TINUED "),  or  the  symbol  V  (meaning  "END"), 
whichever  applies. 


Un  des  symboles  suivants  apparaitra  sur  la 
dernidre  image  de  cheque  microfiche,  selon  le 
cas:  le  symbole  --^-  signifie  "A  SUIVRE",  le 
symbole  V  signifie  "FIN". 


Maps,  plates,  charts,  etc.,  may  be  filmed  at 
different  reduction  ratios.  Those  too  large  to  be 
entirely  included  in  one  exposure  are  filmed 
beginning  in  the  upper  left  hand  corner,  left  to 
right  and  top  to  bottom,  as  many  frames  as 
required.  The  following  diagrams  illustrate  the 
method: 


Les  cartes,  planches,  tableaux,  etc.,  peuvent  dtre 
filmds  d  des  taux  de  reduction  diffdrents. 
Lorsque  le  document  est  trop  grand  pour  dtre 
reproduit  en  un  seul  clichd,  il  est  film6  d  partir 
de  Tangle  sup6rieur  gauche,  de  gauche  d  droite, 
et  de  haut  en  bas,  en  prenant  le  nombre 
d'images  n6cessaire.  Les  diagrammes  suivants 
illustrent  la  mdthode. 


1 

2 

3 

32X 


1 

2 

3 

4 

5 

6 

h 


i^ilS  V  K&iil 


OP      — . 


THE  AGABIANS 


DEPARTrUK    OF  TMP:    ATADIANS. 


Ti^i:  rPEO'PLE  OF 


LONGFELLOW'S     ''  EVANGELINE." 


5SJ 


^ 


«& 


' 


I 


REVIEW 


OP  THE  PEOPLE  OP 


"EVANGELINE" 


in 


WITH 


Historical  Sketche 


OP  THE 


PEESEiTT  AND  PUTUEE. 


BY 


MDE.  MOREL  DE  LA  DURANTAYE. 


DETROIT: 

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. 


'Pl?e  A<^afli3ns. 


PART  FIRST. 

/p>.  F  THE  many  who  have  read  Longfellow's  Evangeline 
I  X  I  with  unbounded  delight,  how  few  there  are  who 
\^  know  that  the  plaintive,  poetic  story  of  Acadia  is 
but  a  picture  of  a  real  people,  illustrating  their  simple  mode 
of  life  and  their  multiple  misfortunes  Yet  our  Nova 
Scotia  once  bore  that  romantic  name,  and  her  people  were 
the  Acadians  of  history,  romance  and  song. 

The  story  carries  us  back  to  the  long  ago,  when  from 
the  frozen  sea  to  the  tropical  gulf,  this  vast  country  was  a 
nearly  unknown  wilderness,  its  monotony  being  undisturbed 
save  by  a  few  English  colonies  on  the  Atlantic  shore  of 
what  is  now  the  United  States,  and  like  settlements  by 
French  in  Canada,  each  claiming  by  assumed  right  that 
which  belonged  to  neither,  and  each  fiercely  jealous  of  the 
acquirements  of  the  other. 

Thus  the  two  most  powerful  nations  of  Europe  sought 
extension  of  dominion  and  addition  of  wealth,  while  colo- 
nists, from  various  quarters  and  all  classes,  endeavored  to 
improve  their  condition  by  casting  their  fortunes  in  the 
wilds  of  the  "  new  world." 

The  experience  of  all  these  early  pioneers  was  usually 
pitiful  in  the  extreme,  if  not  infrequently  happening  that 
they  fall  victims  to  cold,  starvation  and  disease,  to  the 
hostility  of  neighboring  adventurers,  or  to  the  tomahawk 
of  the  savage,  to  bo  finally  either  entirely  destroyed  or  as  a 
tattered  remnant  return  to  their  old-time  homes. 


Among  those  who  so  early  as  1604  cast  their  lot  in  the 
western  wilderness  was  a  body  of  French  People  from 
Normandy,  who  chanced  to  fix  their  new  homes  in  Acadia, 
the  peninsula  now  known  as  Nova  Scotia.  This  effort 
proved  a  failure,  especially  because  of  the  inroads  of 
settlers  from  the  English  colonies  of  Virginia,  who  claimed 
the  peninsula  by  right  of  discovery,  and  whose  people,  led 
by  a  freebooter,  in  the  end  utterly  destroyed  the  colony. 

The  French  government  had  given  the  merged  realm 
its  tropical  name,  but  in  the  turmoil  of  the  nations,  the 
English  gained  possession,  and  in  1621,  with  greater  fitness, 
pronounced  ii  to  be  Nova  Scotia,  or  new  Scotland.  But 
neither  tropical  nor  frigid  designation  brought  settled 
quietude  to  its  borders.  It  became  the  shuttlelock  of  war 
and  diplomacy.  In  due  time  the  French  became  its  master, 
to  be  overcome  by  their  persistent  enemy  in  1654.  Thirteen 
years  later  the  French  were  in  power,  fickle  fortune  return- 
ing to  the  English  in  1714.  Thus,  experience  had  shown 
little  certainty  of  tenure,  and  that  the  imperious  English- 
men so  deemed  it  is  amply  shown  in  the  fact  that  the  treaty 
by  which  it  was  secured  to  them  contained  the  galling 
proviso  that  their  new  subjects,  the  Acadians,  or  French 
citizens  of  Nova  Scotia,  might  eujoy  freedom  of  worship, 
they  being  Catholics,  while  the  English  government  was 
intensely  Protestant,  and  still  more,  they  were  granted 
immunity  from  bearing  arms,  being  thus  permitted  to  enjoy 
the  benefits  of  a  government,  and  be  in  it  protected,  with- 
out raising  a  hand  even  in  their  own  defense.  This 
unprecedented  favor  may  have  partly  risen  from  the  fact 
that  joining  the  English  forces  they  would  be  brought  face 
to  face  with  her  hereditary  foe,  and  thus  be  compelled  to  do 
battle  against  personal  friends  and  relatives;  but,  odious  as 
this  tacit  citizenship  must  have  been  to  the  haughty 
English  government  it  must  be  stated  in  justice  to  it  that 
the  treaty  pledge  was  faithfully  kept.  ^ 

It  seemed  passing  strange  that  the  well-known  vicissi- 
tudes and  turmoil  did  not  make  a  bar  to  immigration.  But 
it  did  not  do  so.    During  each  period  in  which  France  held 


'' 


'i 


the  land,  her  people,  with  consummate  pertinacity,  sought 
homes  in  Acadia;  the  English,  with  equal  blindness,  hurry- 
ing to  their  New  Scotland  during  the  time  of  their 
possession. 

This  seems  all  the  more  wonderful  when  the  fact  is 
recalled  that  the  varied  changes  in  mastery  so  briefly  noted 
were  always  the  results  of  harassing  and  bloody  struggles, 
participated  in  by  both  French  and  English  regular  troops, 
the  militia  or  citizen  soldier  of  both  sides,  in  every  case 
each  party  being  aided  by  the  bloodthirsty  savages,  who 
spared  neither  age  or  sex,  and  in  whose  hands  immediate 
depth  was  usually  a  desired  blessing.  The  cheek  altern- 
ately pales  with  anger  and  blushes  with  shame,  as  we 
review  the  true  history  of  the  part  taken  by  either  party  in 
these  fierce  contests  for  empire,  contests  that  excited  the 
deepest  concern  in  the  great  capitals  and  courts  of  Europe 
three  thousand  miles  away. 

The  Acadian  people  not  only  brought  with  them  the 
habits  of  the  Norman  peasant,  but  adhered  to  their  peculi- 
arities with  unyielding  tenacity.  In  consequence  of  this, 
they  became  noted  for  simplicity  of  habits,  for  patient  and 
persistent  toil  from  which  followed  remarkable  thrift;  for 
devotion  to  the  religion  of  their  fathers,  adherent  attach- 
ment to  their  fatherland  and  an  unlimited  devotion  to  their 
new  homes.  Totally  void  of  those  ambitious  alms  that  fire 
the  hearts  of  other  people,  they  sought  nothing  beyond 
their  little  land  possessions,  and  luxuriant  in  the  comforts 
found  in  their  unostentatious  habitations.  Every  impulse 
of  their  hearts  centered  there,  no  toil  was  too  severe,  if  it 
but  tended  to  increase  their  stock  and  store.  The  soil  of 
the  low  grounds  being  most  fertile,  they  built  dikes,  by 
which  the  waters  were  forced  back,  thus  converting  marshes 
into  reclaimed  fields  where  the  cereals  grew  in  abundance, 
while  thousands  of  every  variety  of  cattle  grazed  on  the 
adjacent  plains,  indulging  in  none  of  the  vanities  that 
corrode  and  impoverish  more  pretentious  communities, 
frugality  reigned  everywhere  supreme.  Without  education, 
and  relying  on  the  "cure"  for  instruction  and  guidance  in 


■I'" 


ii 


-I 

i 

J 


all  essential  things,  they  kept  aloof  from  others,  desiring 
most  to  be  by  the  boisterous  world  forgotten.  Absence  of 
ambitious  aims  circumscribed  their  Wants  and  rendered 
possible  the  existence  of  such  a  typical  band  of  brothers, 
asking  only  to  be  permitted  to  enjoy  their  toil,  their  content- 
ment, neighbors  and  religion. 

It  would  seem  that  these  meager  f<«^vors  were  their  due 
and  should  have  been  accorded  them,  but  instead  they  were 
the  shuttlelocks  of  the  grim  contestants  for  power  and 
empire.  Long,  weary  years  of  contention  with  repeated 
change  of  ruling  powers  had  at  last  brought  the  treaty  of 
1713  before  referred  to,  apparently  bringing  with  it  the  long 
desired  repose. 

Under  the  English  regime,  in  accordance  with  the  terms 
of  this  compact,  nearly  half  a  century  had  passed,  the 
Acadians  being  nominally  English  subjects,  but  clinging 
with  the  keenest  ardor  to  old  memories,  bound  in  every 
heart  sympathy  to  those  who  spoke  their  native  tongue,  and 
who  in  every  way  were  to  them  most  near  and  agreeable. 
In  every  sense  their  rulers  were  to  them  foreign,  the  name 
engrafted  on  their  land  cold  and  cheerless,  their  dreams 
revels  in  Acadia. 

Thus  the  ambers  of  unrest  were  ever  warm  in  their 
bosoms,  and  calm  and  well  disposed  as  they  were,  required 
but  little  effort  to  fan  it  to  a  brighter  glow.  To  the  interior 
Canadian  colonies,  conditions  were  ever  present  promoting 
to  active  effort.  Nova  Scotia,  now  an  English  province, 
occupied  a  position  on  their  eastern  borders  that  largely 
interfered  with  their  access  to  the  ocean,  which  was  not  only 
the  highway  of  trade,  but  the  only  one  through  which  they 
could  maintain  connection  with  France.  Fierce  tribes  of 
Indians,  ardently  attached  to  the  interests  of  the  Canadian 
colonies,  occupied  adjacent  lands,  and  secret  emissaries  were 
ever  busy  fomenting  acrimonies  in  the  hearts  of  both  the 
gentle-souled  Acadians  and  their  neighbors,  the  brutal 
savages. 

To  the  English,  the  accorded  neutral  citizenship  was 
extremely   distasteful,  and  when  to  this  was  added  the 


V 


V 


unrest  wrought  by  the  emissaries  of  France,  it  became 
odious.  They  were  further  both  vexed  and  alarmed  by  ihe 
erection  of  a  French  fort  immediately  over  the  line.  This 
was  situated  at  Beausejours  and  adjacent  to  the  district  of 
Mlues,  on  a  narrow  isthmus  connecting  Nova  Scotia  with 
the  mainland  of  Canada,  and  seemed  significant,  as  the 
Basin  of  Mines  was  the  most  populous  and  wealthiest  of 
the  Acadian  settlements.  Whatever  the  real  purpose  may 
have  been,  the  fort  and  its  occupancy  by  the  French  troops 
was  a  perpetual  menace  to  tb'>  rulers  of  the  province. 

The  tempest  was  slowly  but  surely  gathering.  But 
through  all  the  perplexing  situations  the  Acadian  people 
kept  as  much  aloof  from  participation  as  was  possible  for 
them  to  do.  Their  purpose  and  intent  was  to  remain  true 
to  their  obligations  as  neutrale,  ^nt  being  flesh  and  blood, 
and  the  continued  prey  of  those  v.  !io  by  secret  persuasion 
and  every  possible  device  8out,ht  to  lead  them  to  some 
measure  that  would  result  to  \^e  advaii.taij,e  of  the  Canadian 
provinces,  and  through  this  mean'  to  the  governmert  of 
France,  what  couM  be  expecto^l  as  the  result?  With  all 
this  they  so  greatly  preferred  to  till  the  soil,  tend  their 
hc.ds,  and  live  in  quietude,  that  with  far  fewer  exceptions 
than  could  be  expected  they  persisted  in  pursuing  their 
pastoral  career. 

At  last  the  tempest  had  gathered  its  forces;  a  cloud  of 
ill-omen  overcast  the  sky.  The  drama  of  turmoil,  of  battle, 
of  unrest  and  unchanging  rulers,  was  about  to  terminate  in 
tragedy.  The  innocents  were  again  to  suffer;  the  only  ones 
that  could  be  by  any  means  accounted  guiltless,  were  to  be 
made  the  victims  of  an  act  that  thrills  every  sensibility  of 
tho  human  heart. 

The  American  colonies  were  in  fact  a  part  of  England 
and  represented  her  interests,  in  precisely  the  same  sense 
that  the  Canadian  colonies  represented  their  home  govern- 
ment. 

Through  the  instrumentality  of  the  former,  an  expedi- 
tion was  fitted  out  in  1755  to  reduce  the  fort  at  Beausejours, 


mm 


8 


the  ultimate  object  being  to  destroy  Frencii  Influence  in 
Nova  Scotia,  tlius  making  it  practically  and  really  an 
English  province  like  themselves.  The  fleet  sailed  from 
Boston  harbor,  and  on  arrival  near  their  destination  was 
joined  by  a  force  of  iiritish  regulars  under  Col.  Moncton, 
who  took  commaDd  of  the  whole.  The  negotiations  with 
the  English  government  and  preparation  of  the  expedition 
had  been  conducted  with  so  much  care  that  the  occupants 
of  the  fortress  were  surprised  at  the  appearance  of  the 
enemy.  Their  consternation  quickly  extended  to  the 
Acadians,  who,  with  instinctive  French  predilections, 
required  only  a  threat  from  the  commandant  of  the  French 
forces  to  lead  many  to  cast  their  fortunes  with  them.  Not 
knowing  what  was  really  involved,  believing  their  all  to  be 
in  peril  at  the  hands  of  practical  freebooters,  they  accepted 
the  only  app  arent  chance  for  self  preservation.  Rendered 
desperate  by  the  gloomy  outlook,  some  three  hundred 
joined  the  troops  in  the  fort,  while  many,  being  undecided 
to  the  last  moment  what  was  best  to  do,  finally  hid  their 
families  in  the  woods  and  fought  the  invader  from  any 
cover  they  could  find.  Heroic  but  mistaken  purpose;  idle 
effort;  the  hand  of  fate  was  upon  them;  they  struggled 
against  destiny! 

The  fort  surrendered  after  feeble  resistance,  and  the 
misguided  Acadians  were  at  the  mercy  of  the  English,  who, 
having  granted  them  neutrality,  now  found  them  traitors. 

With  mock  generosity  they  were  pardoned  this  grave 
offense,  but  there  awaited  them  a  doom  no  less  grievous. 
It  is  this  doom  that  every  sentiment  of  humanity  and  com- 
mon  decency  revolts,  stamping  the  perpetrators  as  men, 
worthy  the  brand  of  Cain.  No  claim  of  precedent,  no  plea 
of  national  policy,  can  be  made  to  hide  the  infamy  of  that 
which  the  hearts  of  all  good  men  revolt.  Precedent  does 
not  palliate  wanton  torture,  physical  or  mental,  more  than  it 
excuses  the  savage  for  burning  his  victim  at  the  stake. 
The  course  pursued  had  not  even  the  manly  quality  of  fair, 
open  dealing,  but  consisted  in  a  series  of  schemes,  in  every 
one  on  which  a  trap  was  secreted,  to  the  end  that  turn  which 


^ 

s 


ALONE  IN  THE  WOOD8. 


10 


way  they  might,  the  intended  victims  must  come  at  last  to 
the  same  condition.  Ihe  purpose  was  perfectly  hidden 
until  the  fatal  line  was  passed. 

Having  been  forgiven  for  joining  hands  with  the  enemy 
In  the  recent  contest  at  the  fort  of  Beau  sej  ours,  their 
hearts  were  sufficiently  softened  by  the  unexpected  clem- 
ency, to  respond  promptly  through  their  representative 
that  they  were  willing  to  take  the  oath  of  allegiance  to  the 
British  crown,  a  summons  having  been  issued  to  them  to 
determine  the  matter  as  to  their  willingness.  These  repre- 
sentatives were,  however,  astounded  when  informed  that 
the  old  time  treaty  proviso,  granting  them  immunity  from 
bearing  armi  and  especial  religious  privileges,  could  no 
longer  be  tolerated  and  would  not  be  permitted.  The  oath 
must  now  bo  taken  in  full,  without  proviso  or  reservation, 
as  an  evidence  of  complete  abandonment  of  any  former 
allegiance.  This  measure  was  wholly  unexpected,  and  to 
them,  shocking  to  the  last  degree.  The  agents  could  not 
at  once  answer  for  their  constituency,  in  fact,  could  do  no 
less  than  go  back  to  them  for  instruction  in  a  matter  so 
vital  to  their  interests.  When  they  returned  for  further 
consultation,  the  trap  set  at  that  point  was  sprung ;  it  was 
pronounced  too  late.  Accepting  the  delay  as  an  evidence 
of  unwillingness  and  insincerity,  the  oath  could  not  now  be 
taken  at  all  or  in  any  form,  and  their  suppliants  were  the 
government's  outcasts.  Thus  step  by  step  the  cords  were 
being  drawn  closer,  there  being  from  the  beginnmg  no 
intended  method  of  escape. 

Wandering  blindly  in  a  desert  of  doubt,  the  peasants 
went  on  with  their  harvest  labor,  without  a  dream  of  calam- 
ity greater  than  had  so  often  befallen  them,  that  with  it 
they  were  familiar,  as  with  the  face  of  an  old  time  friend. 
It  was  just  as  well,  as  neither  negligence  or  diligence  could 
change  their  predetermined  doom. 

The  further  development  and  execution  of  the  diabolical 
plot  required  great  care  and  secrecy,  from  f^ar  of  a  revolt, 
to  quell  which  would  result  in  slaughter  in  addition  to  in- 
famy. Only  such  delay  occurred  as  was  unavoidable.  While 


wmm. 


ssi^ 


11 


the  husbandmen  were  occupied  at  their  labors,  the  com- 
manding officers  were  busy  perfecting  every  detail,  and 
issuing  the  orders  of  the  "Provincial  Governor,"  who 
represented  the  British  Crown,  to  his  military  subordinates, 
detailing  their  duty  at  each  of  the  several  French  or 
Acadian  settlements.  Of  these  there -were  several,  each 
one  a  little  world  within  itself. 

These  officers,  with  requisite  troops,  repairing  to  the 
station  assigned  them,  in  conformity  with  their  instructions, 
each  issued  an  order  directing,  under  penalty,  that "  all  old 
men,  young  men  and  lads  of  ten  years  of  age,"  should  meet 
at  a  place  designated,  on  September  5th,  1755,  to  hear  a 
command  of  the  Governor  of  the  province. 

On  its  face  this  notice  was  entirely  innocent ;  and  in 
some  places  was  fully  and  in  others  not  wholly  complied 
with.  Possibly  some  might  have  noticed  that  on  that  morn- 
Jng  extraordinary  military  precautions  had  been  very 
quietly  taken,  the  strictest  discipline  observed,  and  the 
troops  supplied  with  powder  and  ball.  There  could  have 
been  nothing  beyond  a  suspicion,  as  the  dread  secret  was 
unknown,  save  to  a  few  trusty  officers  who  were  sworn  to 
absolute  silence  and  secrecy. 

Grand  Pre  was  a  populous  and  thrifty  village,  sur- 
rounded by  charming  farms,  with  fields  well  tilled  and  barns 
overflowing  from  the  recent  harvest  A  description  of 
what  transpired  there  will  suffice  for  all,  aa  the  type  was 
the  same,  and  like  agonies  wrought  everywhere.  Col. 
Winslow,  of  Massachusetts,  was  assigned  to  duty  in  that 
district,  and  to  the  credit  of  his  heart  be  it  said,  shrank 
from  its  performance  with  expressed  disgust  for  being  made 
the  instrument  of  unwontec  cruelty,  but  imperative  orders 
forced  him  to  obedience. 

In  compliance  with  official  notice,  "  the  old  men,  young 
men  and  boys  of  ten  years  "  gathered  in  the  village  church 
at  the  appointed  time.  Few  failed  to  obey  the  mandate,  as 
suspicion  was  disarmed  among  them,  and  the  orders  of  the 
Governor  were  of  vital  importance.    Seated  in  their  places 


12 


in  respectful  and  painful  expectation,  they  did  not  notice 
that  the  soldiers  were  quietly  surrounding  the  build- 
ing. 

This  done,  the  ranking  officer  in  full  uniform,  repre- 
senting his  imperial  majesty  of  Great  Britain,  after  some 
preliminaries,  read  the  fatal  orders,  which  were  nothing^ 
less  than  their  property  was  all  confiscated  to  the  Crown, 
that  all  were  to  be  removed  from  the  province,  leaving 
behind  everything  save  such  personal  effects  as  could 
conveniently  be  carried  with  them,  and  that  after  the 
moment  of  reading,  that  they  were  prisoners,  and  with  their 
families  doomed  to  perpetual  exile.  The  axe  had  fallen  at 
Grand  Pre,  but  not  with  like  success  at  some  of  the.  settle- 
ments, especially  that  of  Beau  Basin  and  Annapolis,  where 
suspicions  had  by  some  means  been  aroused,  and  only  a 
portion  reported  as  ordered.  The  recusants  fleeing  from 
the  horror  they  faintly  imagined,  hid  with  their  families  in 
the  woods,  hoping  against  faith  for  something  better  than 
their  fears  had  painted. 

This  awful  communication,  coming  like  a  thunderbolt, 
so  appalled  the  prisoners  that  they  doubted  what  they  heard, 
but  all  became  too  plain  for  doubt  when  they  saw  the  stern 
senUy  at  the  doors  and  beyond  them  the  gjard  under  arms. 
Then  their  strong  hearts  bowed  under  the  weight  of 
wretchedness.  Instantly  passed  before  them  as  in  a  pano- 
rama their  homes,  their  families,  and  every  sacred,  associated 
tie  suddenly  wrenched  from  them;  their  fertile  fields  and 
well-filled  bams,  their  herds  grazing  on  the  plains,  to  them 
blotted  out  forever.  Anguish  rent  every  heart;  they  were 
worse  than  free  outcasts  on  the  face  of  the  earth. 

Their  families  knew  nothing  of  what  had  transpired, 
until  the  expected  did  not  return,  when  inquiry  caught  the 
rumor,  and,  like  the  hot  and  suffocating  simoom,the  revolting 
fact  spread  abroad.  Then  arose  shrieks  of  agony  and 
lamentation  in  every  home.  In  frenzy  women  and  children 
rushed  along  the  streets,  wringing  their  hands  in  despair. 
It  was  the  wailing  of  helpless  women  for  absent  loved 


(I 


18 


II 


ones  and  for  crushed  hopes  in  every  form — everything  near 
and  dear  had  been  gathered  by  the  hand  of  death,  and  amid 
desolation  lay  coffined  before  them. 

The  picture  with  all  its  ghastly  seeming  was  all  too 
real,  for  means  of  escape  there  were  none.  Lamentations 
were  powerless  for  relief,  shrieks  of  agony  could  be 
answered  only  by  kindred  shrieks,  while  mothers  pressed 
to  their  breasts  babes  that,  like  themselves,  were  pinioned 
to  the  wheel. 

The  early  imprisonment  may  be  regarded  in  the  light 
of  a  precaution  to  prevent  disorder,  which,  through  some 
mischance,  might  have  resulted  from  delay  and  arousing  of 
suspicion.  At  least  it  was  otherwise  premature,  as  there 
were  not  at  command  a  sufficient  number  of  vessels  to 
transport  the  members  of  the  colony,  which  necesitated 
painful  delay.  Near  the  shore  at  Grand  Pre  lay  five  vessels, 
on  which  it  was  decided  to  place  the  prisoners  as  a  means 
of  security.  The  10th  of  September  was  fixed  upon  as  the 
day  on  which  the  male  captives  would  be  placed  on  board 
to  be  there  guarded  while  awaiting  sufficient  transportation. 

Five  long,  weary  days  passed  by,  doubt  and  hope  alter- 
nating in  the  breasts  of  the  imprisoned,  and  their  families 
still  in  their  homes.  Would  the  captors  carry  away  fathers, 
husbands,  sons  and  brothers?  Limited  numbers  under 
careful  guards  had. each  day  been  allowed  to  visit  their 
families;  would  this  blessed  favor  be  taken  away?  were 
questions  continually  asked  and  ever  answered  by  a  hcpeless 
moan. 

Each  circling  sun  sternly  reduced  the  hours  of  stay, 
and  when  on  the  designated  morn  its  light  set  all  their 
beautiful  land  in  glory  before  them,  the  drums  were 
resounding  in  the  village  streets.  At  eight  o'clock  the 
church  bell  tolled  into  the  desolate  hearts  that  the  fatal 
hour  had  come. 

The  melancholy  column  was  formed  and  two  hundred 
and  sixty  young  men,  in  the  advance,  ordered  to  march  on 
ship-board.  The  pride  and  strength  of  their  manly  hearts 
iorbade  obedience.    They  asked  only  for  their  families  in 


sffMsm**'*'^- 


14 


company.  With  them  they  could  bow  to  the  yoke,  but  to 
leave  them  they  would  not.  This  could  not  be,  and  while 
drums  resounded  the  soldiery  advanced  with  fixed 
bayonets.  Appeals  were  vain,  to  resist  with  empty  hands 
utterly  hopeless.  A  few  were  wounded,  when  in  despair 
the  march  began. 

From  the  church  to  the  shore  the  way  was  lined  with 
women  and  children,  mothers,  wives,  babes,  those  who  tot- 
tered from  age,  and  those  whose  cheeks  were  pallid  with 
the  touch  of  death.  Neither  pen  nor  pencil  can  picture  a 
heart  agony,  nor  can  they  portray  the  fierce  sorrows  of  those 
who  knelt  by  the  way,  greeting  the  prisoners  with  blessings, 
tears  and  lamentations,  as  they  bade,  as  they  yet  fully 
believed,  a  final  adieu.  Trembling  hand  clasped  hand  that 
trembled,  fathers  for  a  moment  only  pressed  their  lips  to 
those  of  wife  and  child  as  they  movf>d  on  under  the  eyes  of 
the  stern  guards,  who  dared  not  even,  if  they  wished,  brook 
the  least  delay.  Thus  all  moved  quickly  along  the  melan- 
choly path  until  none  were  left  but  those  who  mourned, 
and  when  from  the  vessel  decks  the  imprisoned  lo'  ied 
ashore,  there  stood  their  loved  ones  gazing  through  blind- 
ing tears  to  catch  even  a  faint  glimpse  of  those  so  cruelly 
wrenched  from  them.  Rivited  to  the  spot,  the  desolate 
women  and  children  wrung  their  hands  and  wept  until 
"  tired  nature  "  and  the  gloom  of  nightfall  forced  them  to 
seek  protection  in  their  homes. 

One  act  in  this  infamous  drama  had  been  completed,  an 
act  that  brought  shame  into  the  English  hearts  who  under 
orders  were  compelled  to  its  execution. 

There  is  a  form  of  mercy  in  the  ending  of  torture,  but 
even  this  trifling  boon  was  not  for  the  unfortunate  Acadians, 
for  through  long  weeks  of  waiting  for  additional  transports 
and  supplies  they  lay  in  full  view  of  their  lost  treasures. 

Horrified  beyond  measure,  utterly  powerless,  incapable 
of  thinking  this  cold  inhumanity  could  be  more  than  tempor- 
ary, the  women  felt  that  the  persecutors  must  relent;  that 
the  iron  heart  would  soften,  the  relentless  hand  loose  its 
hold  and  the  imprisoned  be  returned  to  them.    Soothed  with 


16 


riKST  CHURCH   OP  ANNAPOLIS. 


16 


this  "forlorn  hope,"  they  turned  their  attention  to  their 
varied  duties,  each  day,  by  permission,  carrying  food  from 
their  tables  to  those  on  board  the  ships. 

But  the  end  was  not  yet.  The  event  of  September  10th 
was  that  of  separation;  that  which  v\ras  to  follow  was  one  of 
union,  but  not  at  the  family  fireside. 

Again  the  drums  beat,  troops  paraded  under  arms,  and 
divided  into  squads,  proceeded  to  the  performance  of  the 
last  act  of  the  cruel  tragedy.  The  labor  of  the  housewife, 
the  play  of  Acadian  children  in  Acadia,  was  ended.  For 
the  last  time  had  been  heard  their  lullaby,  for  the  last  time 
the  prattle  of  their  babes.  The  order  was  imperative,  the 
fatal  hour  of  embarkment  had  arrived;  mothers,  wives  and 
children  must  now  join  their  imprisoned  friends,  not 
definitely  as  families,  but  as  chance  might  determine. 
With  this  awful  reality,  the  last  hope  was  crushed  and 
horror  thrilled  every  heart.  In  bewildering  grief  and 
terror,  almost  unconscious  of  what  they  did,  some  prized 
treasures  were  gathered  together.  Still  reluctant  to  go,  the 
soldiery  were  compelled  to  force  their  departure,  and  amid 
tears  hot  with  agony,  mothers  carried  their  children,  friends 
bore  the  aged  and  infirm  in  melancholy  procession  to  the 
boats  that  were  to  bear  them  to  the  vessels  awaiting  them 
near  the  shore.  At  each  of  the  villages  the  same  blood- 
chilling  scenes  were  enacted,  and  then  fire  swept  away 
homes,  churches  and  harvests  before  their  eyes.  Flames 
burst  through  windows,  crept  over  roofs;  houses  and  barns 
melted  like  wax,  while  each  stack  of  grain  became  a  huge 
cone  of  smoke,  streaked  with  fire,  until  nothing  remained 
but  a  cloud  that  hung  like  a  pall  above  the  cinders  that 
smouldered  beneath.  The  exiles  could  only  gaze,  wring 
their  powerless  hands  and  weep. 

In  every  locality  the  effort  at  capture  had  been  well 
planned,  and  was  executed  thoroughly,  both  at  the  time  of 
reading  the  order  and  afterward  ;  the  search  for  those  who 
failed  to  come  being  pushed  with  earnest  diligence.  Still 
there  were  some  who,  with  their  families,  escaped  to  the 
woods.  In  the  utmost  fright  and  destitution  they  hid  as  best 


17 


th«»y  could  to  bide  the  developments  of  time.  No  oppor- 
tunity for  counter  effort  was  discovered  by  them  save  at 
Chipody,  where,  from  their  hiding  places,  they  saw  the 
flames  bursting  simultaneously  from  their  houses,  barns 
and  churches.  Instantly  their  blood  became  heated  beyond 
enaurance.  Guided  by  anger  and  thirsting  for  revenge, 
they  hastily  hid  their  wives  and  children  more  securely, 
and  few  as  they  were,  threw  themselves  unexpectedly  on 
the  enemy,  who,  broken  by  the  furious  attack,  hastened  to 
their  ships,  leaving  forty-five  dead  and  wounded  on  the 
field. 

Whichever  way  they  turned,  the  fate  of  these  fugitives 
could  be  nothing  less  than  deplorable  to  the  utmost  extreme. 
Their  English  persecutors  were  unrelenting  and  sought 
them  ought  in  the  most  unfrequented  places.  Those  that, 
by  dint  of  watchfulness,  suffering  and  dubious  good  fortune, 
escaped,  either  hid  in  rocky  caverns,  fens  or  marshes,  sub- 
sisting by  fishing  and  kindred  methods,  or  joined  their 
comrades  who  had  united  with  the  French  before  the  battle 
at  the  fort,  and  shared  with  them  their  flinty  destiny. 
Others  found'refuge  in  the  wigwams  of  their  savage  friends 
or  wandered  to  adjacent  islands  within  the  French  borders, 
all  hovering  near  their  lost  treasures.  Detached  groups 
found  their  way  into  the  interior  of  the  Canadian  settle- 
ment, to  receive  such  care  as  is  meted  out  to  the  impover- 
ished and  disconsolate.  Through  some  chance,  a  group  of 
these  people  fixed  their  habitation  on  the  Madawaska, 
where,  having  passed  through  indescribable  privations, 
they  gradually  developed  comforts,  which,  in  time,  ripened 
into  prosperity  and  happiness,  and  there,  at  this  day,  may  be 
found  an  untarnished  type  of  the  Acadian  people. 

Little  bands  found  resting  places  within  the  provincial 
borders,  at  points  remote  from  English  settlements,  their 
security  consisting  in  their  poverty  and  the  unfrequented 
locality  of  their  homes. 

In  1763,  the  iron  grip  of  the  British  hand  slightly 
yielded  its  grasp,  permission  being  then  granted  to  the 
expatriated  to  return  and  establish  themselves  in  Digby 


18 


County,  Township  Clare,  a  rough  and  ja^^ged  place  on  the 
Bouthwest  shore  of  St.  Mary's  Bay,  remote  from  all  habita- 
tion and  accessible  only  from  the  sea  through  a  narrow  and 
roclcbound  inlet.  A  few  promptly  availed  themselves  of 
this  meagre  indulgence.  Long  deprivation  and  suffering 
seemed  to  have  softened  their  memory  of  wrongs,  and  lent 
energy  to  their  efforts.  Labor  for  themselves  had  in  it  such 
pleasurable  quality,  that  soon  the  rough  lands  were  made 
to  yield  their  treasures,  which  with  ample  facilities  for  fisli- 
ing,  enabled  them  to  secure  life's  necessaries,  now  to  them 
the  sweetest  luxuries. 

This  experience  is  sufficiently  heartrendering,  but  is,  if 
possible,  surpassed  by  tho.^e  who,  as  the  transports  glided 
down  the  bay,  gazed  their  last  on  their  native  lands  as  the 
flames  shot  upwards  through  the  dense  clouds  of  smoke. 
No  fleet  had  ever  borne  on  its  decks  such  burthen  of  heart- 
breakings,  decks  that  were  moistened  with  torrents  of  tears. 
No  desolation  <?an  be  more  dreary  than  the  transition  from 
home  to  homeltssness ;  from  loved  land  to  one  which  at 
best  had  no  allurements,  that  could  only  be  a  place  for  wan- 
dering and  servitude;  from  the  cheers  of  the  family  fireside 
to  a  bleak  and  dreary  desert. 

But  grief  will  often  exhaust  itself  and  yield  at  last  to 
passion,  or,  mingled  together,  they  find  expression  by  turns. 
Thus  it  was  on  one  of  these  vessels,  resulting  in  mutiny, 
overpowering  the  guards  and  running  it  ashore  near  St. 
John's  River,  the  escaped  prisoners  finding  refuge  in 
friendly  wigw^ams. 

The  fl<»et  sped  on  its  way,  each  vessel  consigned  by 
orders  to  certain  of  the  colonies  along  the  Atlantic  coast, 
where  their  living  freight  was  heartlessly  set  on  shore, 
among  those  whose  language  was  not  understood,  and  each 
to  the  other  odious  by  long  hostility,  and  where  the  faith  of 
each  was  deemed  by  the  other  a  heresy,  a  wicked  and 
unclean  thing. 

Imagination  alone  can  follow  their  devious  fortunes,  as 
history  has  not  preserved  its  details,  more  th&u  at  the  hands 
of  those  so  intensely  disliked,  they  secured  greater  favors 


10 


and  more  real  kindneBs  than  did  the  refugees  at  the  hands 
of  their  Canadian  friends.  But  It  was  not  possible  to  com- 
fort them.  Wherever  they  might  find  refuge  among  the 
colonists,  unhappiness  was  still  their  portion.  If  they  had 
few  wants,  they  were  keenly  felt,  and  could  not  be  yielded; 
every  tradition  being  a  sacred  thing  to  which  their  very 
souls  were  attached  as  by  hooks  of  steel.  Their  unrest 
consequently,  never  appeased,  necessarily  separated,  they 
soon  scattered  far  and  wide,  in  well  nigh  aimless  purpose, 
some  in  after  years  working  their  way  back  to  Digby  and 
Madawaska.  Others  were  sent  from  Virginia  to  England, 
or  found  refuge  in  the  !N  >rman  land  of  their  forefathers. 

No  legend  tells  us  ho-.v  or  when  a  portion  of  these 
strangely  unfortunate  people  reached  Louisiana.  The 
long  stretch  of  inhospitable  wilderness  forbade  a  journey 
thither  by  land,  but  it  may  be  readily  surmised  that  some 
kindhearted  captain  took  them  by  sea  to  the  then  far-away 
colony,  where  they  could  once  more  hear  in  speech  the 
music  of  their  native  tongue. 

Fancy  will  paint  how  memory  of  the  harsh  and  forbid- 
ding clime  they  left  behind,  together  with  their  suffering 
and  poverty,  must  have  vanished  from  their  minds  as  they 
slowly  wended  their  way  out  of  the  tropical  gulf  into 
beautiful  Berwick  Bay,  and  thence  into  Bayou  Teche  (Bio 
Tesh)  extending  northward  two  hundred  miles,  to  receive 
the  silent  flowing  Atchafalaya  (A-shafala).  We  dwell  with 
them  on  the  scene.  There  is  not  a  ripple  on  the  sleeping 
Bayou,  a  deep  waterway  from  two  to  three  hundred  feet 
wide,  that,  like  a  ribbou  of  silver,  stretches  far,  far  away  ; 
on  the  eastern  shore  standing  then,  as  now,  an  unbroken 
forest  of  Cottonwood  and  cypress,  their  lofty  branches 
interlacing,  all  draped  and  festooned  with  Spanish  moss,  as 
if  in  sorrow  that  the  waters  into  which  their  shadows  fell 
must  pass  aw^ay  to  return  no  more.  On  the  western  shore 
their  eyes  were  greeted  with  charming  undulations,  where 
the  live  oak  spread  its  branches,  and  the  palmetto  rose  with 
pretentious  dignity;  where  roses,  magnolias,  jessamine, 
camelias  and  oleanders  of  spontaneous  growth,  loaded  the 


20 


air  with  intoxicating  perfume,  seeming  to  offer  a  paradise 
where  the  rudest  must  long  to  linger  and  from  which  the 
blest  could  scarce  wish  to  wander.  Far  up  the  stream,  on 
the  billowy  landn  the  exiles  established  a  colony,  in  which 
the  geutle-souled  Evangeline  sought  her  lost  lover ;  where 
the  habits  of  their  ancestors  becoming  firmly  rooted,  are 
still  untarnished ;  where  the  spinning  wheel  and  loom  are 
heard  in  the  cabin  home ;  where  girls  wear  the  Norman 
bonnet  and  petticoat ;  where  the  village  cure  is  their  guide 
and  remast,  and  church  bells  call  to  that  form  of  devotion 
from  which  they  have  never  swerved. 

The  shameless  work  was  done;  the  expatriation  made  as 
complete  as  it  was  possible  to  do,  by  resort  to  the  most 
frigid  heartlessness  and  rugged  violence.  Nine  thousand 
persons  had  been  made  impoverished  wanderers  on  the  face 
of  the  earth,  and  their  vast  wealth  at  the  same  time  given 
to  the  winds  and  the  flames. 

Families  had  necessarily  been  separated,  never  to  be 
reunited,  save  by  such  chance  accident  as  could  rarely 
occur.  Fancy  alone  can  picture  the  joy  of  such  unexpected 
meeting,  and  none  could  be  more  touching  than  the  story  of 
the  lovers  kindly  handed  down  to  us  by  authentic 
history. 

They  were  to  have  wed  on  the  very  day  on  which  the 
male  inhabitants  of  Grand  Pre  were  made  prisoners.  On 
his  way  to  the  ship  Jean  stopped  to  kiss  the  kneeling,  weep- 
ing maiden,  and  hurridly  said,  **Adelle,  trust  in  God  and  all 
will  be  well."  On  different  vessels  both  were  landed  in 
New  York,  and  the  maiden,  with  her  mother,  found  a  home 
far  up  the  Hudson,  from  which  the  former  was  carried  away 
in  an  Indian  raid  and  made  the  petted  prisoner  of  a 
chief  in  the  deep  forest  recesses  of  the  Mohawk  Valley. 

In  time  Jean  became  a  trader  with  the  Indians,  and  in 
one  of  his  long  journeys  one  day  "approached  the  wigwam 
of  the  old  chief,  and  amid  the  forest  shadows  saw  a  young 
woman,  with  her  back  toward  him,  as  she  sat  on  a  mat 
feathering  arrows.  On  her  head  sat  jauntily  a  French  cap. 
With  this,   her  fair  neck  suggested   her   nativity.      He 


V 


V 


91 

approached  her  gently— their  eyes  met.  The  maiden 
sprang  from  the  mat,  and  uttering  a  wild  cry  of  Joy  and 
*  Jean/  fell  fainting  in  his  arms." 


Poetry  and  romance  have  vied  with  history  in  portrayal 
of  the  pitiable  experience  of  this  people,  who  left  France 
with  hope  of  bettering  their  l!ves  in  the  rugged  wildernesa 
of  a  far  away  and  unknown  land. 

Strangely  enough  its  history  presents  the  elements  of 
romance,  and  poetry  and  story  can  scarce  reach  beyond  the 
real  limits  of  cheerless  history. 

A  rugged  land,  an  unostentatious  people,  ever  on  the 
rack  of  misfortune,  but  never  swerving  from  the  habits  and 
faith  of  their  fathers,  Acadia  has  been  made  by  the  poet's 
magic  pen  the  land  of  Evangeline,  and  she,  the  pure 
souled,  the  patient,  ever  loving  and  ever  faithful,  the 
representative  of  her  people,  whose  cup  was  always  well- 
nigh  filled  with  bitterness,  but  who,  like  her: 

"  Meekly  bowed  their  heads,  and  murmured, 
Father,  I  thank  Thee." 


92 


\^ 


C08TUMES  OF  THE  ACADIANS. 


"J 


V, 


Their  Transportation  and  the  Cause- 


T 


'; 


PART  SECOND. 

In  1740,  difficulties  between  France  and  England,  in 
consequence  of  court  intrigues,  kindled  a  needless  war  which 
terminated  in  the  treaty  of  Aix-la  Chapelle.  The  details  of 
the  treaty  exhibited  on  the  part  of  the  French  ministers 
such  neglect  and  unpardonable  ignorance  that  a  new  war 
began  very  soon  on  the  borders  of  Acadia.  The  Governor  of 
Canada  placed  garrisons  along  the  frontiers,  and  the  peace 
heretofore  enjoyed  by  the  Acadians  ceased  to  exist. 

In  17j5  the  envy  which  the  prosperity  and  rich  soil  of 
the  colony  had  excited  among  the  militia  of  New  England 
brought  on  this  infamous  and  cruel  spoliation,  an  oternai 
stain  on  the  name  and  honor  of  England,  which,  unfortun- 
ately, is  without  more  than  one  parallel  in  the  history  of 
that  nation.  This  iniquitous  decision  was  carefully  con- 
cealed from  the  Acadians,  in  order  not  to  provoke  a  suspi- 
cion that  might  have  proved  dangerous,  A  i)roclamation 
was  issued  calling  on  the  people  to  assemble  on  the  5th  of 
September,  1755,  in  their  different  parishes,  to  hear  an 
important  communication  from  the  Governor.  This  deceit 
was  not  everywhere  successful.  At  Beau-Basin,  part  of 
what  had  remained  of  the  French  Acadian  population  took  at 
once  to  the  woods.  The  people  of  Annapolis,  accustomed 
of  old  to  seek  in  the  forests  a  refuge  against  the  cruelties  of 
war,  did  not  wait  for  the  completion  of  tliis  horrible  catas- 
trophe, therefore  a  certain  number  only  fell  into  the  hands 
of  their  foes. 


But  ir  the  district  of  MiueSf  which  is  the  wealthiest  in 
Acadia,  good  care  had  been  talcen  to  secure  the  success  oi 
the  plot.  This  population,  peaceful,  industrious,  and  not 
as  suspicious,  perhaps,  responded  in  a  body  to  the  call  of 
the  Governor,  and  being  secretly  surrounded  by  soldiery^ 
were  told  they  were  prisoners  of  war,  and  their  lands,  tene- 
ments and  household  goods  forfeited  to  the  crown,  and 
that  on  the  10th  of  September  they  were  to  embark  for  the 
British  Colonies. 

This  awful  communication  fell  like  a  thunderbolt  and 
stunned  the  wretched  families.  "Without  arms,  surrounded 
by  soldiers  and  crushed  beneath  calamity,  the  Acadians 
had  to  bow  to  the  atrocious  law  of  a  triumphant  foe;  and 
on  the  10th  of  September  the  mournful  expatriation  took 
place. 

That  date  had  been  fixed  upon  as  the  day  of  departure, 
and  a  man-of-war  was  in  waiting  for  them.  At  daybreak 
drums  were  resounding  in  the  villages,  and  at  eight  o'clock 
the  ringing  of  the  church  bells  told  the  sad  and  desolate 
Frenchmen  that  the  time  had  come  for  them  to  leave  for- 
ever their  native  land.  Soldiers  entered  their  houses  and 
turned  away  men,  women  and  children  into  the  market 
place.  Till  then  each  family  had  remained  together,  and  a 
silent  sadness  prevailed;  but  when  the  drums  beat  to  em- 
bark; when  the  time  had  come  to  leave  their  native  homes 
forever,  to  part  with  mother,  relatives,  friends,  without 
hope  of  seeing  them  again,  to  follow  strangers,  that  enmity, 
language,  habits,  and  especially  religion  had  made  distaste- 
ful; crushed  beneath  the  weight  of  their  misery,  the  exiles 
melted  into  tears  and  rushed  into  each  others'  arms  in  a 
long  and  last  embrace.  The  drums  were  resounding 
incessantly  and  the  crowd  was  pushed  on  toward  the  ships 
anchored  in  the  river.  Two  hundred  and  sixty  young  men 
were  ordered  to  embark  on  board  the  first  vessel. 
This  they  refused  to  do,  declaring  they  would  not 
leave  their  families.  This  request;  was  immediately 
rejected,  but  they  were  forced  into  subjection  by 
the     troops,     who,     with      fixed     bayonets,     advanced 


\il 


•) 


\ 


rv 


*  f 


S5 


I 


toward  them,  and  those  who  tried  to  resist  were  wounded, 
leaving  no  alternative  but  to  submit  to  this  horrible 
tyranny.  The  road  leading  from  the  church  to  the  shor  i 
was  crowded  with  women  and  children,  who,  on  their 
knees,  greeted  them  with  tears  and  their  blessings,  as  they 
passed,  bidding  a  sad  adieu  to  husband  or  son,  and  extend- 
ing to  them  trembling  hands,  which  they  sometimes  could 
press  in  theirs,  but  which  a  brutal  soldier  compelled  soon 
to  be  released.  The  young  men  were  followed  by  their 
seniors,  who  passed  tlftough  the  same  scene  of  sorrow  and 
distress.  In  this  manner  were  the  whole  male  population 
put  on  board  of  the  five  transports  stationed  in  the  river; 
each  of  these  were  guarded  by  six  officers  and  eighty 
privates.  As  soon  as  other  vessels  arrived,  the  women  and 
children  were  put  aboard,  and  when  at  sea  the  soldiers 
would  sing,  unmindful  of  such  dreary  misfortune.  The 
tears  of  these  poor,  wretched  people  excited  their  crueltj^ 
and  even  they  had  a  good  deal  to  suffer  at  the  hands  of  the 
officers. 

Revenge,  mean  cruelty.  Implacable  cupidity,  and  every 
contemptible  passion  concurs  to  increase  the  infamy  of  this 
odious  removal,  and  brand  it  as  one  of  the  most  shameful 
pages  of  English  history. 

For  several  consecutive  evenings  the  cattle  would  con- 
gregate around  the  smoking  ruins  of  the  homes,  as  if  expect- 
ing the  return  of  their  owners,  while  the  faithful  watchdogs 
were  howling  on  the  deserted  hearths. 

According  to  the  lievue  des  Deux  Maudes  of  1831,  the 
number  of  prisoners  thus  removed  from  the  district  of 
Mines  amounted  to  4,000,  and  it  may  be  said  that  the  whole 
French  population  had  been  banished,  as  very  few  could 
escape. 

From  the  following  statement  may  be  obtained  an  Idea 
of  the  wealth  of  that  country.  Four  thousand  houses  and 
five  thousand  stables  were  burned;  twelve  thousand  oxen, 
three  thousand  cows,  five  thousand  calves,  six  thousand 
horses,  twelve  thousand  sheep  and  eight  hundred  pigs  were 
taken  possession  of. 


26 


The  American  colonists,  who  had  long  since  provoked 
the  measures,  obtained  a  grant  of  the  land,  and  of  course  the 
numerous  herds  were  not  without  profit  to  some  one;  so 
nothing  had  been  neglected  to  succeed  in  that  canton,  which 
was  the  wealthiest  of  all. 

How  did  these  poor  people  live  in  the  forest  and  wilder- 
ness? Through  what  succession  of  dangers  and  sufferings 
did  they  pass  in  the  presence  of  speculators  among  whom 
their  lands  were  divided?  This  we  do  not  know.  But  we 
are  aware  that  they  felt  the  pangs  of  hunger  and  cold  and 
defended  their  lives  against  wild  beasts. 

At  the  present  time  we  find  a  small  parish  of  Acadian 
origin,  growing  on  the  ruins  of  their  country,  in  the  midst 
of  British  invaders.  The  population  are  French  Acadians 
and  Catholics  in  every  principle,  and  remain  as  an  uncon- 
(juerable  protest  of  justice.  They  are  the  inhabitants,  who, 
escaping  from  British  persecution,  took  refuge  in  the  woods 
and  later  emigrated  into  several  localities  of  the  St.  Law- 
rence. 

In  1755  the  French  commanding  officer  stationed  him- 
self at  Beausejours  with  a  small  garrison  of  one  hundred 
and  fifty  men,  where  they  watched  the  movements  of  the 
British,  who,  later  on,  took  the  fort  by  a  surprise.  The 
women  and  children  were  able  to  escape  and  hide  away  in 
the  woods,  and  were  soon  after  joined  by  the  commander 
with  a  few  armed  men.  When  they  saw  the  flames  destroy- 
ing their  houses,  the  blood  of  the  old  Acadians  swelled  in 
their  veins,  and  they  listened  only  to  words  of  anger  and 
revenge.  They  sent  their  wives  and  chiJdren  into  the 
woods  and  threw  themselves  suddenly  on  their  enemies, 
who,  broken  by  the  furious  and  unexpected  attack,  returned 
to  their  ships,  leaving  forty-five  of  their  comrades  dead  or 
wounded.  After  this  dreadful  slaughter,  the  French  officer 
apportioned  to  the  best  of  his  ability  the  few  remaining 
families,  sending  some  to  the  islands  of  the  Gulf,  while 
others,  loth  to  leave,  began  again  to  clear  the  woods  along 

shores;  but  the  majoritj'^  of  those  established  on  the 
*ore8  had  to  take  refuge  in  Canada. 


87 


a  I 


In  1757  there  raniained  on  the  borders  of  the  Gulf  of 
St.  Lawrence  very  few  families,  being  unobserved  because 
of  their  small  number  and  the  remoteness  of  English 
settlements.  The  usual  poverty  of  an  uninhabited  country 
made  it  anything  but  a  desirable  location. 

As  to  the  fate  of  the  people  dwelling  along  the  river  of 
Annapolis  they  threw  themselves  in  the  woods  at  the  first 
suspicion,  for  they  had  for  some  time  been  accustomed  to 
such  tactics,  but  this  time  it  was  not  a  passing  storm  after 
which  they  could  return  to  their  fields  and  rebuild  their 
wooden  houses.  The  English  levied  on  them  a  lasting  war. 
One  portion  of  tbe  people  of  Annapolis  were  obliged  to  take 
refuge  in  forests  and  deserts,  with  the  savages,  while  others 
scattered  along  the  shores,  where,  poor  aud  unnoticed,  they 
earned  their  living  as  Acadian  fishermen.  There,  for 
several  years  they  succeeded  in  concealing  their  existence 
amid  anxieties  and  privations,  hiding  carefully  their  small 
canoes,  not  daring  to  till  the  land,  watching,  with  apprehen- 
sion, any  English  sail,  and  dividing  with  their  friends  the, 
Indians,  the  supplies  due  to  fishing  and  hunting. 

The  woodland  remains  yet,  but  to-day  under  its  shade 
lives  a  race  different  in  customs  and  language.  It  is  only 
on  the  dreary  and  misty  shores  of  the  Atlantic  that  vegetate 
yet  a  few  Acadian  peasants,  whose  fathers  came  back  from 
exile  to  die  in  their  native  land.  In  their  cabins  their 
spinning  wheel  and  loom  are  yet  in  motion.  The  young 
girls  still  wear  the  Norman  bonnet  and  petticoat,  and  in  the 
evening,  sitting  near  the  fire,  they  repeat  the  history  of  the 
Gospel,  while  in  its  rocky  caverns  near  by  the  ocean  roars 
and  answers  in  a  disconsolate  tune  to  the  groans  of  the 
forest. 

Since  then,  like  the  passing  of  a  terrible  storm,  leaving 
wreck  and  ruin  in  its  track,  the  persecution  subsided,  the 
Acadians  made  use  of  a  kind  of  sufferance  to  establish  them- 
selves openly  on  the  shores  that  had  been  their  refuge  for  so 
many  years.  A  few  years  after,  they  were  joined  in  these 
solitary  and  wretched  parts  of  the  country  by  a  small  fraction 
of  those  transported  by  the  English  in  1755.    Such  is  the 


28 

origin  of  the  Acadian  population  in  Canada  that  has  given 
its  name  to  the  parish  called  Acadia,  in  the  county  of  St. 
John,  a  place  made  immortal  by  the  beautiful  poem  of 
Longfellow,  and  is  known  as  the  home  of  Evangeline. 

A  memorial  of  the  Bishop  of  Quebec,  dated  October 
80th,  1757,  let  us  know  their  number,  especially  at  Cape 
Sable,  where  a  Catholic  missionary  comforted  and  sustained 
them  against  English  persecution;  this  missionary  had  been 
called  by  them,  and  offered  to  defray  his  own  expenses. 

A  certain  number  still  remained  scattered  in  different 
places,  living  miserably  in  the  remotest  cantons. 

In  17G3  permission  was  granted  to  Acadians  that  had 
been  transported  into  Massachussetts  to  establish  themselves 
on  the  southwest  shore  of  their  old  country,  near  St.  Mary's 
Bay. 

The  township  of  Clare,  Digby  county,  was  at  the  time  a 
rough  and  jagged  place,  remote  from  all  habitation  and 
accessible  only  by  sea.  The  Acadians,  who  seem  to  possess 
as  an  essential  characteristic  a  constant  energy  and  indomi- 
table perseverance,  were  ready  to  recommence  the  struggle 
and  work  without  loss  of  courage.  They  were  not  long  in 
putting  their  shoulder  to  the  wheel  when  the  said  inheri- 
tance, granted  them  by  the  compassion  of  their  oppressors, 
came  back  into  their  hands.  Industrious,  hard  workers, 
they  soon  cleared  the  land,  built  fishing  boats,  and  created 
in  this  deserted  country  a  sufficient  thrift.  All  the  authors 
are  in  accordance  in  their  testimony  as  to  the  preservation 
of  the  language,  national  character  and  vigilance  to  main- 
tain old  customs. 

Mr.  Halliburton,  Judge  in  Nova  Scotia,  had  written  the 
following  in  1829:  "While  Germans  have  a  tendency  to 
disappear  in  the  English  population,  the  Acadians  live 
together  as  much  as  possible,  keeping  their  religion, 
language  and  peculiar  customs.  They  never  intermarry 
with  their  Protestant  neighbors.  Among  themselves  they 
speak  but  French."  This  great  man's  friendship  for  the 
Abbott  Sigogue  continued  to  the  period  of  his  election  fpr 


' 


i 


'  I  ■' 


29 


■'  1  • 


the  county  of  Clair,  which  includes  St.  Mary's  parish. 
Those  two  men  of  superior  talent  in  their  different  careers, 
understood  one  another  at  their  first  meeting. 

The  author  of  Sam  Slick  took  great  interest  in  convers- 
ing with  this  French  priest,  whose  life,  ideas  and  habits 
contrasted  so  strangely  with  his  surroundings.  On  his. 
part  the  priest  felt  a  warm  friendship  for  this  bright,  intel- 
ligent, sensitive,  sarcastic,  free-of-all-prejudice  Protestant, 
and  he  did  not  hesitate  to  notify  his  party  that  they  could 
depend  on  his  infiuence  in  favor  of  religious  independence; 
and  was  one  of  the  first  to  propose  the  abolition  of  the  test 
oath,  which  barred  all  Catholics  from  holding  a  public 
office.  Father  Sigogne  was  one  of  the  first  promoters  of 
the  emancipation  act  presented  and  unanimously  adopted 
by  the  Legislature  of  Nova  Scotia— thanks  to  the  masterly 
speech  of  Halliburton  in  1^27,  the  most  remarkable  part  of 
which  was  his  eulogy  of  the  Acadians,  of  whose  manners 
and  habits  he  had  made  a  special  study  during  his  resi- 
dence in  Annapolis,  from  1723  to  1724.  Says  Beamish 
Murdock,  referring  to  it,  "It  was  the  most  magnificent  and 
eloquent  oratory  that  I  ever  heard."  Halliburton  was  then 
mentally  and  physically  in  the  prime  his  of  life.  The 
bracing  air  of  his  native  home,  Windsor,  gave  him  a  robust 
appearance,  although  his  figure  was  still  young  and  spare. 
On  this  occasion  he  literally  carried  his  audience  with  him 
by  the  force  of  his  eloquence,  aided  by  his  classical  and 
historical  studies,  and  by  his  appeal  to  the  tenderest  feelings 
of  human  nature. 

This  speech  is  too  closely  allied  to  our  subject  to  pass 
without  citing  a  few  passages.  After  informing  them  that 
he  represented  a  great  number  of  Catholics,  and  that  for 
several  years  he  had  been  an  intimate  friend  of  their 
venerable  pastor,  Father  Sigogue,  "For  what  reason,"  he 
asked,  "  does  the  Protestant  and  Catholic  mix  in  the  same 
social  reunions  and  live  in  perfect  harmony  ?  Why  does 
the  Catholic  weep  at  the  death  of  a  Protestant  friend  he^ 
has  loved  while  living?  Why  does  he  act  as  pall-bearer  to 
his  last  resting  place  and  mingle  his  tears  with  the  dust  that 


30 


covers  hie  friend?  If  iu  Great  Britain  there  is  an  evident 
feeling  of  hostility,  it  must  be  for  other  causes  than  a  simple 
difference  of  religion.  Ireland  offers  the  saddest  spectacle. 
While  the  Catholic  is  in  duty  bound  and  naturally  inclined  to 
support  his  priest,  he  is  obliged  by  the  laws  of  the  country 
to  pay  tithe  to  the  Protestant  minister.  Then  you  see 
churches  without  believers,  ministers  without  congrega- 
tions and  bishops  enjoying  immense  salaries  without  any 
duty  to  perform.  These  Catholics  must  be  more  or  less 
than.  men.  If  they  suffer  all  this  without  complaint  they 
feel  it  and  murmur.  The  Protestants,  on  their  part,  are 
continually  clamoring  against  them  and  declare  them  as  a 
bad  class  of  people.  All  Catholic  church  property  has 
passed  into  the  hands  of  the  Protestant  clergy,  also  the 
tithe,  lands  and  domains  of  the  monasteri^^s.  Who  can  con- 
template without  regret  those  monasteries,  venerable  even 
in  their  ruins?  What  has  become  of  those  scientitic,  chari- 
table and  hospitable  asylums,  where  the  pilgrim,  weary 
from  a  long  journey,  or  the  harassed  traveler,  stopped  for 
rest  and  received  a  hearty  welcome;  where  the  poor 
received  their  daily  food  and  implored  with  a  heart  full  of 
gratitude  the  benedictions  of  the  pious  and  good  men  that 
fed  them;  those  asylums  where  knowledge  held  her  assizes 
and  science  plunged  her  flaming  hand  into  the  darkness  of 
barbarism  and  ignorance  ? 

"  Allow  me,  Mr.  President,  to  linger  as  I  often  have  in 
times  long  ago  during  hours  and  days,  amidst  those  ruins; 
you  also  must  have  lingered  to  contemplate  those  desolate 
ruins.  Tell  me  while  contemplating  those  cloisters,  and 
while  your  feet  tread  their  mosaic  paths  through  which 
the  grass  grows,  have  you  not  imagined  hearing  the  solemn 
tread  of  the  monks  in  their  holy  procession?  Have  you 
not  imagined  hearing  the  chimes  of  the  bells  pouring  forth 
in  the  eve  their  soft  and  melancholy  sounds  through  the 
quiet  and  solitary  valley?  Have  you  never  heard  the 
seraphic  choirs  diffuse  the  harmonious  chant  of  their 
hymns  through  immense  waves  or  aerial  arches?  Do  not 
those  columns  in  ruins,  those  Gothic  arches,  those  cracked 


81 


and  ivy  covered  walls  appeal  to  you,  while  reminding  you  of 
the  spoilers,  at  least  to  shed  a  tear  to  the  memory  of  those 
great  and  good  men  who  founded  them?  It  has  been  said 
that  Catholics  were  the  enemies  of  liberty,  but  that  asser- 
tion, like  many  others  brought  against  them,  is  utterly  false. 
Who  established  the  grand  chart?  Who  established  our 
judges,  our  jury  system,  our  magistrates,  our  sheriffs,  etc.? 
It  was  the  Catholics.  It  is  to  those  slandered  people  that 
we  owe  everything  of  which  we  are  proud  to-day.  Were 
they  not  loyal  and  brave?  Ask  the  green  hills  of  Chrystler's 
farm;  ask  at  Chateauguay;  ask  the  hills  of  Queenstowu. 
They  will  tell  you  they  cover  the  loyal  and  brave  Catholic, 
the  ashes  of  heroes  that  died  for  their  country.  Here  their 
sentiments  had  full  sway,  because  there  was  no  cause  for 
dissension  and  no  properties  to  dispute.  They  were  looked 
upon  as  good  subjects  and  good  friends.  Friendship  is 
natural  to  man's  heart.  It  is  like  the  ivy  searching  the  oak, 
twining  around  its  trunk,  embracing  its  branches,  surround- 
ing them  with  beautiful  wreaths,  and  climbing  to  the  top 
balances  its  magnificent  banner  of  foliage  above,  as  though 
proud  of  having  conquered  the  king  of  the  forest. 

"  Look  at  the  township  of  Clare.  There  you  see  a  mag- 
nificent spectacle,  a  whole  nation  having  the  same  habits, 
speaking  the  one  language,  and  united  in  the  one  religion. 
It  is  a  spectacle  worthy  of  the  admiration  of  man  and  the 
approbation  of  God.  See  their  worthy  pastor,  the  able 
Sigogue,  at  the  rising  of  the  sun  surrounded  by  his  people, 
rendering  thanks  to  the  Author  of  all  gifts.  Follow  him 
to  the  sick  bed  ;  watch  him  diffuse  the  balm  of  consola- 
tion on  the  wounds  of  the  afflicted.  Follow  him  in  his 
field,  showing  an  example  of  industry  to  his  people ;  in  his 
cabinet  instructing  the  innocent  youth.  Follow  him  in  his 
chapel ;  you  will  see  the  savage  from  the  desert  with  all  his 
fierce  and  untamed  passions.  You  will  see  him  conquered 
and  submissive  in  the  presence  of  the  Holy  Man.  You  will 
hear  him  tell  the  Indian  to  recognize  God  in  the  calm  and 
solitude  of  the  forest,  in  the  roar  of  the  cataract,  in  the 
splendid  order  of  the  planetary  system,  in  the  regular  order 


89 


of  (lay  and  night ;  the  Indian  does  not  forget  to  thank  Ood 
in  his  own  dialect  for  the  revelations  the  white  man  has 
taught  him."  Mr.  Halliburton  next  recited  the  dispersing 
of  the  Acadians,  then,  as  representatives  of  the  descendants 
of  those  people,  he  demanded  of  the  deputies  the  abolition 
of  the  test  oath,  not  as  a  favor,  as  he  would  not  accept  it 
through  compassion,  but  from  their  justice.  "Any  man," 
said  he  In  conclusion, "  who  puts  his  hand  on  the  New 
Testament,  and  says,  'This  is  my  Book  of  Faith,'  be  he 
Catholic  or  Protestant,  whatever  may  be  the  difference  of 
opinion  on  certain  doctrines,  he  is  my  brother  and  I  embrace 
him.  We  are  traveling  different  patlis  to  the  same  God. 
In  my  pathway  of  life  I  meet  a  Catholic,  I  salute  him,  travel 
with  him,  and  when  we  arrive  at  the  term,  ptm?nnntia 
luniinn  mundi',  when  this  time  comes,  as  it  surely  must; 
when  this  tongue  that  to-day  expresses  my  thoughts,  will 
chill  in  my  mouth;  when  this  breast  that  now  breathes  the 
pure  air  of  heaven  will  refuse  longer  to  serve  me;  when 
these  earthly  clothes  will  return  to  the  earth  from  whence 
they  came  and  will  mingle  with  the  dust  of  the  valley,  then 
with  the  Catholic  I  will  turn  a  long,  languishing  look  at  the 
past,  I  will  kneel  with  him,  and  instead  of  saying  like  the 
presumptous  Pharisee:  'Grace  to  God,  I  am  not  like  this 
papist,'  I  will  pray  that  being  both  of  the  same  blood  we 
will  both  be  pardoned,  and  being  brothers,  we  shall  both  be 
received  above."  . 

Such  language  from  a  Protestant,  addressed  to  a  Protes- 
tant audience,  could  not  fail  to  produce  its  effects.  At  the 
same  time  he  showed  the  impression  of  the  holy  life  of  the 
Abbot  Sigogue  had  on  all  his  surroundings.  The  Catholics 
of  Nova  Scotia,  and  particularly  the  Acadians,  have  placed 
beside  the  name  of  Mr.  Halliburton  the  name  of  Mr. 
Uniacke,  one  of  the  most  noted  memb*TS  of  the  Legislature, 
who  supported  the  Deputy  of  ClRre  if  not  with  the  same 
eloquence,  at  least  with  the  same  spirit  of  justice.  With 
this  victory  dropped  the  last  chain  of  the  Acadians  and 
opened  an  era  of  liberty  that  has  made  them  one  of  the 
happiest  nations  on  earth. 


^ 


•■  >, 


'— ^■iga<'r3'S3rj:-r;-_^.-.--«-^yi£-"t.r^    --^SiJ^''«- " 


84 


Providence  granted  the  Abbot  Sigogiie  seventeen  years 
of  life  from  that  date  to  strengthen  the  good  he  had  done 
in  the  midst  of  this  population,  becoming  more  and  more 
docile  to  his  voice  and  examples.  He  died  cf  old  age  in 
1844,  at  the  age  of  eighty-five,  taking  with  him  the  regrets 
of  all  his  people,  and  everything  that  shows  a  man  that  life 
is  worth  living  for,  and  the  conviction  of  having  accom- 
plished his  duty  and  deeds  that  never  die.  If  every  you 
cross  St.  Mary's  Bay  you  will  see  Abbot  Sigogue's  tomb, 
surrounded  with  honor  and  respect.  You  will  there  see 
kneeling,  the  children  whose  parents  he  baptized,  and  of 
whom  he  made  more  worthy  of  the  confessors  of  the  last 
century.  With  the  Abbot  Sigogue  died  in  Acadia  the  gen- 
eration of  Apostoical  men  that  the  tempest  of  '93  had 
scattered  over  her  surface,  divided  them  into  three  provinces, 
namely.  New  Bruiuswick,  Nova  Scotia  and  Prince  Edward's 
Isle.  The  small  knots  of  families  the  missionaries  had  dis- 
covered on  the  verge  ol  being  lost  that  they  organized, 
disciplined  to  whom  they  gave  a  part  of  their  lives  and 
virtues,  have  to-day  become  legions,  full  of  brave  and 
courageous  people  on  whom  we  can  depend.  After  incr3as- 
ing  on  their  on  their  own  merit  by  doubling  every  twenty- 
one  years  from  1785  to  1827,  they  doubled  every  twenty-two 
years  from  1827  to  1871.  The  last  official  census  of  1881 
states  that  there  is  to-day  56,635  Acadians  in  New  Bruns- 
wick, 41,219  in  Nova  Scotia,  which  forms  part  of  Cape 
Breton,  and  10,757  on  Prince  Edward's  Isle.  Those  figures 
do  not  include  the  Acadian  population  of  the  Magdeleua 
isles,  which  numbers  over  3,000,  nor  those  north  of  the 
Gulf  and  the  Bay  Des  Chalems,  Newfoundland  and  the 
State  of  Maine,  belonging  to  the  Madawaska  group,  which 
will  raise  about  20,000  souls,  giving  the  Acadian  popu- 
lation of  all  these  regions  a  total  of  over  130,000  souls* 
As  I  said  before,  the  Acadians  are  represented  by 
men  o:  their  own  race.  In  the  Senate  and  House 
of  Commons  they  have  their  deputies  and  even 
their  local  legislators.  Men  educated  and  noted  among  all 
classes  of  society,  we  no  longer  count  the  number  of  their 


85 


^'. 


schools,  at  the  head  of  which  stands  Memramcook's  classi 
cal  college,  without  a  doubt  the  best  Catholic  institution  in 
the  Maritime  Provinces.  They  have  several  convents 
devoted  to  the  instruction  of  youth  in  each  of  the  Provinces, 
and  as  far  as  the  Magdalena  Islands  they  control  the  elec 
tion  in  many  counties.  They  have  their  French  papers  that 
teach  them  their  rights,  their  attachment  to  their  language 
and  to  France,  at  the  same  time  declaring  their  entire 
fidelity  to  England.  In  fact,  they  possess  all  the  elements 
of  progression  possible  to  wish.  The  reunion  of  the  British 
Provinces  in  Confederation  strengthened  them,  at  the  same 
time  binding  them  more  closely  to  their  brothers  in  Canada. 
In  fifty  years  they  will  number  half  a  million,  and  will  be  a 
power  in  the  Maritime  Provinces,  as  the  Canadians  are 
to-day  in  the  Confederation. 

France  has  been,  until  the  middle  of  the  last  century, 
one  of  the  greatest  colonial  powers  in  the  world.  The 
moment  seems  propitious  to  present  to  the  public  the 
researches  we  publish  here.  It  is  sad,  indeed,  in  exhibiting 
the  national  character,  to  call  back  the  painful  end  of  efforts 
which,  at  their  beginning,  raised  such  bright  and  legitimate 
hopes;  but  we  must  overcome  the  natural  repulsion  gen- 
erated by  misfortune,  and  fix  our  minds  on  the  sad 
recollections  of  the  past,  to  derive  from  our  disasters  useful 
information  to  guide  and  strengthen  our  conduct  in  the 
future.  We  know  that  it  is  not  without  concern  for  us  to  fol- 
low the  French  people,  abandoned  in  our  old  possessions 
and  to  show  what  has  become  of  their  posterity,  through 
the  difficulties  and  trials  of  a  foreign  domination.  France 
seems  to  have  forgotten  that  in  the  dark  hours  of  her 
history  important  populations  of  her  own  blood,  and  in  spite 
of  misfortune,  faithful  to  their  origin,  were  forsaken  by  her. 
Who  remembers  to-day,  Acadia,  Canada,  Louisiana,  or  even 
Mauritius,  though  so  recently  lost?  Who  has  any 
recollection  of  places  illustrated  by  so  many  heroic  fights, 
and  the  d(  'oted  patriotism  of  their  inhabitants?  It  is  hard  to 
awaken  remembrances  of  our  past  glory,  and  to  point  out  that 
France  has  b(  en  the  first  to  commence  this  wonderful  devel- 


36 


opment  of  civilization  in  North  America,  while  losing, 
through  her  carelessness,  the  generous  children  she  did  not 
know  how  to  defend. 

Courageous  colonists,  who  with  energetic  perseverance 
have  faced  persecutions  and  abandonment,  you  have  kept 
everywhere,  not  only  the  tradition,  but  also  the  religion,  cus- 
toms, language  and  love  of  your  country.  Has  not  the  time 
arrived  to  depart  from  that  selfish  indifference  with  which 
we  rewarded  their  affection?  Those  to  whom  the  greatness 
and  prospects  of  France  are  yet  worthy  of  consideration 
will  understand  that  to  call  attention  to  the  national  ques- 
tion is  to  attend  to  the  future  eventually  laid  up  for  the 
French  race. 

Five  hundred  and  seventy-nine  miles  in  twenty-four 
hours  by  the  Intercolonial  road  from  Quebec  to  St.  John, 
New  Brunswick.  The  train,  as  usual  on  that  line,  was  just 
late  enough  to  enable  you  to  miss  the  boat  making  three 
trips  per  week  between  St.  John,  Digby  and  Annapolis. 
Compelled  am  I  to  wait  until  night  for  the  steamer  from 
St.  John  to  Yarmouth,  Nova  Scotia.  These  delays  are  so 
frequent  that  gossip  says  tbere  is  an  understanding  between 
the  railroad  conductors  and  St.  John  hotel  keepers,  the 
latter  having  the  reputation  of  charging  exorbitant  prices  to 
travellers.  My  experience  at  the  Royal  Hotel  will  confirm 
the  above  statement.  Far  away  to  the  south  the'  blue 
shores  of  Nova  Scotia,  separated  here  by  the  narrow  but 
high  chain  of  mountains,  with  a  suspension  bridge  a  hun- 
dred feet  above  the  gorge,  at  the  bottom  of  which  the  St. 
John  River  precipitates  itself  in  a  foaming  cataract  of 
elegance  and  strength.  From  this  point  can  be  witnessed 
one  of  nature's  greatest  wonders  on  the  continent.  The 
tide,  that  rises  as  high  as  twenty-six  feet  in  this  vicinity,  en - 
g\ilfs  itself  in  this  gorge,  repulses  the  current  and  permits  for 
a  few  minutes  vessels  to  mount  above  the  cataract.  In  1634 
Baron  La  Tour,  a  Huguenot  gentlemen,  built  a  fort  on 
Point  Carleton,  opposite  Navy  Island,  a  few  rods  above  the 
cataract,  where  he  done  a  profitable  business  in  pelts  and 
trading  with  the  Indians.    This  fort,  now  entirely  demol- 


87 


ished,  witnessed  one  of  the  most  tragical  events  in  the 
annals  of  America.  Leaving  Paris  with  his  son  Charles 
Amador,  then  fourteen  yeare  of  age,  Claude  La  Tour  first 
thought  of  settling  in  Acadia,  near  Fort  Royal.  Seventeen 
years  later  Charles  La  Tour  was  elected  Governor  of 
Acadia  through  the  death  of  Biencourt,  son  of  Poutrincourt» 
whom  he  succeeded. 

Claude  De  La  Tour  being  taken  prisoner  by  the 
English  some  time  previous,  was  conducted  to  London 
where  he  was  surrounded  by  caresses,  made  Baronet  and 
married  to  the  first  Maid  of  Honor  of  Queen  Henriette,  of 
France,  wife  of  Charles  I.  The  same  Princess  that  was 
immortalized  by  Bossuet,  Claude  De  La  Tour  offered  the 
King  of  England  to  secure  him  the  keys  of  Fort  St.  Louis, 
the  ably  fortified  post  held  by  the  French  in  Acadia.  He 
sailed  with  two  frigates  for  America  and  anchored  under 
the  walls  of  Fort  St.  Louis,  of  which  but  a  few  ruins 
remain,  and  proposed  to  his  son  to  deliver  the  place  to 
them.  In  return  he  assured  him  the  greatest  honors  awaited 
him  in  London,  and  the  supreme  Government  of  Acadia  in 
the  name  of  the  King  of  Great  Britain.  The  father  answered 
Charles  De  La  Tour  indignantly:  "  You  are  greatly  mis- 
taken if  you  think  I  would  deliver  this  fort  into  the  hands 
of  the  enemies  of  this  State.  I  will  defend  it  for  the  King^ 
my  master,  as  long  as  I  have  a  breath  in  my  body.  I  highly 
esteem  the  position  offered  me  by  the  King  of  England,, 
but  will  never  purchase  them  at  the  price  of  treason.  The 
Prince  I  serve  is  able  to  recompense  me.  but  shuulu  Le 
forget  me,  in  my  fidelity  I  will  find  the  best  of  all  rewards." 
Seeing  there  was  no  alternative,  he  landed  his  troops  and 
cannon  and  attacked  the  fort,  where  he  was  gallantly 
repulsed  and  forced  to  retreat.  Becoming  at  the  same 
time  a  traitor  to  France  and  the  cause  of  a  disaster  to  Eng- 
land, the  poor  unfortunate  dared  not  return  to  Europe.  He 
advised  his  wife  to  return  with  the  vessels  to  England,  for 
there  was  nothing  left  him  but  shame  and  misery.  "Never," 
assured  this  noble  woman, "  I  have  not  espoused  you  to 
abandon  you  at  the  first  reverse  of  fortune.    Wherever  you 


38 

will  conduct  me,  and  no  matter  to  what  misery  you  may  be 
reduced,  I  will  always  be  your  faithful  companion.  My 
happiness  shall  always  be  to  share  your  grief."  La  Tour 
then  turned  to  his  son,  whose  grandeur  of  soul  he  began  to 
understand,  and  asked  for  clemency.  The  hero  did  not 
belie  himself,  but  taking  his  father  and  family,  gave  them  a 
bouse  and  a  bountiful  supply  of  everything  necessary,  on 
condition  that  he  and  his  wife  should  never  put  their  foot 
inside  the  fort,  where  they  lived  in  peace  and  comfort  sev- 
eral years. 


' 


. 


■n«wraiW<w^tJ.'i«'4.*ii  miv)iimM\'mim  w«aj 


89 


A  SHARPSHOOTER. 


m 


ACADIAN  RECOLLECTIONS. 


BY   MDE.   MOREL  DE  I.A  DURANTAYE. 


PART  THIRD. 


The  writer  of  this^  being  a  descendant  of  the  Acadian 
exiles,  ventures  to  offer  a  contribution  to  their  sad  histoiy^ 
partly  derived  from  records  and  partly  from  impressions 
made  by  rec*  *'  those  among  whom  she  was  reared.  It 
was  true  thyi  i.^>>< «  who  made  the  terrible  journey  through 
the  wildercess  had  been  gathered  by  death  before  my  birth, 
but  I  well  i'?ini€  bei  .tein<y  and  conversing  with  their 
children,  bom  after  their  departure,  from  their  original 
homes,  some  06  board  the  vessels  that  carried  them  to  the 
English  colonies,  others  in  the  forests  during  their  wander- 
ings in  search  of  a  place  to  rest. 

Some  of  these  people,  then  very  old,  had  been  nursed 
by  their  mothers  all  through  the  long,  weary  way,  as  in 
terror  they  fled  they  knew  not  where. 

The  sorrowful  stories  were  so  burned  into  my  young 
heart  that  in  my  after-ioumeyings  through  the  province,  I 
have  eagerly  listened  to  repetitions  by  their  descendants, 
who  tell,  with  touching  pathos,  the  incidents  handed  down 
in  families  from  generation  to  generation.  The  length  of 
time  that  has  elapsed  makes  it  impossible  to  now  give  primi- 
tive exactitude,  and,  therefore  this  record  must  bear  some- 
what the  form  of  legends  of  my  native  village,  where  my 
story  begins. 


41 


'' 


Going  backward  more  than  a  century  eastern  Canada 
was  a  trackless  wilderness.  It  was  1755  or  1756  when  a  few 
families  were  seen  wending  their  way  through  it;  all  victims 
of  the  same  misfortune,  who,  for  some  cause,  now  unknown, 
halted  on  the  banks  of  the  Montreal  River,  and  decided  that 
they  were  now  sufficiently  hidden  and  might  venture  to 
there  establish  a  home. 

It  was  a  curious  but  not  unnatural  fancy,  that  the  exiles 
usually  named  any  new  place  that  they  might  decide  to 
occupy,  after  some  one  that  wm  dear  to  them  in  the  land 
from  which  they  had  been  expelled. 

This  group  had  found  a  spot  where  they  determined  to 
begin  anew  the  struggle  of  life,  to  try  once  more  what 
unremitting  toil  would  bring  forth,  and  named  it  Little 
Acadia — after  their  lost  country.  Thus  began  a  little  colony, 
toward  which  other  fugitives,  as  if  by  instinct,  worked  their 
weary  way.  The  scenes  then  occurring  there  would  soften 
the  flintiest  heart.  The  poor  unfortunates  arrived  one  after 
another,  in  straggling  groups  and  wholly  destitute,  seeming 
like  parts  of  a  wreck  after  a  storm,  drifted  by  the  winds  to 
the  same  shore.  Fathers  with  large  families  came,  accom- 
panied, perhaps,  by  some  of  their  neighbors.  Often  poor 
young  girls  lived  through  the  journey,  while  their  aged 
parents  died  by  the  way  from  hardship  and  starvation, 
finding  their  last  rest  in  the  gloomy  forest.  Groups  of  these 
wanderers  were  often  partly  or  wholly  lost  in  the  wilderness 
to  be  seen  no  more.  The  survivors,  filled  with  grief  for 
those  that  had  disappeared  by  'the  way,  and  embittered 
toward  those  who  had  caused  their  misery,  could  but 
recount  the  painful  story  and  weep.  Occasionally  an  old 
mother,  whose  love  for  her  children  was  great  enough  to 
surmount  every  obstacle  and  bear  with  all  the  hardships  of 
the  journey,  would  finally  reach  the  place  that  was  to  wit- 
ness the  last  sacrifice  of  her  life.  In  her  dying  hour  she 
might  be  heard  asking  God  to  bless  all  the  poor  exiles  around 
her,  and  then,  in  a  way  so  innocent  and  pure  that  you 
would  know  they  were  the  last  wish  of  a  loving  mother's 
heart,  hear  her  cry,  "My  children,  where  are  they?    Alas! 


42 

God  only  knows,  but  if  any  of  you  ever  see  them  tell  them 
that  their  old  mother  died,  blessed  them,  and  asking  God  to 
bless  and  protect  them  from  the  tyranny  of  the  English,  and 
at  last  to  forgive  them." 

In  pain  and  poverty,  sighs  and  tears,  thus  was  Little 
Acadia  begun,  and  in  the  midst  of  these  humble  unfortun- 
ates, in  the  fields  close  by  the  cottage,  the  erection  of  which 
was  just  commenced,  my  father  was  born;  and  in  that  same 
little  colony  I  first  saw  the  light  of  day. 

This  constitutes  but  the  means  of  insight  into  the  multi- 
tude of  oft-told  experience,  of  trials  and  sufferings  that  had 
seared  the  souls  of  the  exiles,  had  prepared  their  soil  for 
the  growth  of  the  tares  of  bate,  that  to  this  day  flourish  in 
luxuriance. 

From  it  we  naturally  turn  to  the  causes  that  so  crushed 
this  people  as  if  beneath  a  heel  shod  with  iron. 

In  the  province  now  known  as  Nova  Sootia,  at  an  early 
day  lived  a  people  whose  land  was  known  to  them  and  the 
world  as  Acadia.  They  were  all  French  and  lived  in  distinct 
settlements,  somewhat  widely  scattered.  One  of  these  was 
known  at  the  time  as  Port  Royal,  which  was  captured  by  the 
English  in  1710,  and  then  named  Annapolis,  by  which  title 
that  colony  was  ever  afterward  designated.  It  is  to  the 
people  of  this  colony  that  this  sketch  is  chiefly  devoted,  as 
my  ancestry  was  among  those  who  escaped  from  it,  as  well 
as  many  of  those  with  whom  I  spent  my  early  years,  and 
from  whom  I  received  the  early  and  lasting  impressions. 

Port  Royal  was  the  most  valuable  point  owned  by  the 
French  in  America.  In  1711  all  the  Acadian  peninsula 
suffered  the  fate  of  Port  Royal.  The  French  abandoned  it 
by  a  treaty  in  1714. 

Acadia  thus  passed  under  the  English  sceptre,  and  so 
remained  for  nearly  fifty  years,  when  Nicholson,  Governor 
of  the  province,  issued  an  order  compelling  the  inhabitants 
to  come  before  September  6th,  1755,  and  show  submission  to 
the  English  crown  by  taking  an  oath,  or  forfeit  their  right 
as  English  citizens.  This  they  had  before  been  required  to 
do  under  direction  of  Phillips,  who  then  represented  the 


48 


FROM  MONTREAL  TO  LA  PRAIRIE. 


'^:?af5'K<^qwg(jwjwj 


44 


English  government,  and  who  granted  the  rights  of  citizens 
without  being  required  to  bear  arms,  and  permitted  them  to 
worship  as  they  chose,  and  that  this  should  be  perpetual. 
The  Acadians  reminded  Governor  Nicholson  of  the  promise 
of  Phillips,  and  the  reserve  he  had  granted  in  the  oath 
required  of  them.  They  also  reminded  him  of  the  cruelty 
of  requiring  them  to  fight  against  their  own  people,  man 
to  man,  but  received  in  answer  that  Phillips  had  been 
censured  by  the  King  for  the  rash  promises  he  had  made , 
and  that  they  must  now  submit  to  the  King.  There  had 
been  deceit  in  politics  in  order  to  keep  them  there  against 
their  own  will,  and  the  result  of  this  hideous  crime  could 
have  but  one  result. 

The  Acadians  asked  that  in  case  they  desired  to  leave 
the  country  they  would  be  allowed  to  dispose  of  their  prop- 
erty. They  were  then  informed  that  they  could  not  either 
sell  their  property  or  leave  the  country.  They  then 
returned  to  their  fireside,  some  in  despair,  others  waiting  in 
hopes,  but  not  one  would  swear  allegiance  to  England  and 
raise  his  arm  against  France.  Then  began  the  tyranny  of 
the  English  administration;  then  those  poor  but  heroic 
people  by  stealth  left  their  native  home,  carrying  nothing 
with  them  but  their  hatred  for  their  persecutors.  They  left 
one  after  another,  men  and  women  holding  on  their  arms 
their  aged  fathers  and  mothers.  Their  conversations  were 
held  in  low  tones  and  ceased  entirely  on  the  threshold,  the 
head  of  the  family  first,  then  f  Dllowed  all  the  representa- 
tives of  a  third  generation,  each  with  a  load  of  some  kind. 
The  procession  started  silently  through  the  darkness  to  the 
harbor,  where  lay  the  ship  awaiting  their  embarkation  and 
transfer  to  the  Canadian  shore. 

They  left  unnoticed  by  any  one,  as  they  feared  arousing 
the  authorities,  who  were  already  on  the  alert.  Arrived 
upon  the  beach  amidst  darkness,  and  blinded  with  tears, 
there  was,  of  course,  some  confusion;  people  could  be  heard 
in  low  voices  calling  one  another,  and  sailors  letting  go 
their  lines,  but  soon  all  noise  ceased.  Occasionally  you 
would  hear  a  few  between  their  sobs  bidding  good-bys  to 


L 


46 

their  country,  never  to  return.  The  anguish  was  general, 
even  little  babes  awoke  from  sleep  and  cried,  as  a  cold 
breeze  would  pass  over  their  face;  they  knew  it  was  not 
their  mother's  caressing  breath.  The  boat  began  to  rock; 
they  felt  it  was  not  the  rocking  of  their  cradle,  and  theirs 
were  the  last  cries  borne  back  to  Acadia. 

Go,  now,  you  barbarous  instrument  of  politics;  go  and 
distribute  on  other  shores  your  missions  of  tyranny  and 
outrage.  Hidden  in  the  forests  on  the  beaches,  and  in  the 
midst  of  solitude  are  your  victims.  Do  not  flatter  yourself 
with  the  hope  that  their  voices  are  silenced  forever-;  that 
their  footsi  ps  will  never  again  return  to  theirnative  soil; 
that  their  stories  will  never  reach  the  ears  of  the  civilized 
world,  that  God  and  the  world  will  leave  them  eternally 
without  justice,  and  that  you  will  continue  your  reign  of 
eydestruction  without  punishment.  No!  The  voice  of  the 
tchildren  shall  not  be  hushed;  it  will  outlive  these  court 
upheld  by  the  tears  and  suffering  of  a  nation,  rooked  in  the 
cradle  of  their  misery  and  cries  of  anguish.  Go,  ye  tyrants; 
she  calumny  will  fall  upon  your  memory  and  follow  you  to 
sour  tombs. 


f. 


46 


'■^^.'■'^^^■': 


r^'^vv 


I  *'j 


f;V. 


^vii  // 


.^■: 


V   r  I     -■J 


^if:-^>'H'i  ; 


"">^^^ 


,;-:^-^ 


*'#:-  />^ 


ACADIAK  FORKST  SCENE. 


t 


21  Znibntgljt  poctn. 


While  waiting  at  midniglit  witli  four  in  the  room, 

My  brain,  hb  the  morning  dawned,  wt-lghing 
With  thoughts  of  the  little  ones  now  left  alone. 

And  their  grief  my  mind  was  portraying— 
Bereft  tonight  of  their  Itind  father, 

Sorrow  comi^p  to  young  and  old— 
I  was  thlnl-i.j,'  of  the  daylight 

And  the  news  whtch  must  be  told, 
When  with  daylight  they'd  awaken 

And  with  one  accord  all  rush 
For  the  first  fond  kiss  from  papa, 

And  I— how  »ad— their  hearts  must  crush. 


Yes,  to  his  eternal  rest  he  is  gone  forever, 

From  the  ones  who  lo\  -d  him  well, 
Who  will  forget  him  never— 

Shall  we  ever  meet  again? 
Yes,  the  splendor  will  be  greater. 

For  when  we  meet  'twill  be  above, 
And  there  see  our  Creator! 

We  can  no  longer  watch  and  mourn 
For  him— the  loved  one, 

Whose  life  on  earth  to  us  was  but  a  charm. 
We  can  but  hope  that  his  soul  will  be 

As  welcome  in  heaven 
As  the  parting  was  sad  for  me. 

When  we  four  have  passed  away, 
Will  some  one  remember  us. 

And  will  the  remembrance  be  as  sad 
As  the  one  who  has  gone  today  5- 

Will  we  be  remembered 
By  friends  once  near  and  dear ; 

Or  will  we  be  forgotten. 
As  though  we  never  had  been  here? 


48 

Memory,  sad  memory, 
With  aching  hearts  80  sore. 

inetrueandonlyjjght. 


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